'Welcome to the world': Sam Faiers gives birth to 'beautiful' baby boy as she shares touching photo of her new arrival

The former TOWIE star and her boyfriend Paul Knightley welcomed their son on Tuesday, just two days before Sam's own birthday on New Year's Eve.

The reality star announced her happy news on Instagram, sharing a black and white photo of her baby boy's hand curled around his mum and dad's, captioning the snap: 'Welcome to the world our beautiful baby boy 29.12.15.'

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New arrival: Sam Faiers and her boyfriend Paul Knightley welcomed a baby boy on Tuesday, their first child

Details surrounding the birth, other than the date, have been kept tightly under wraps and it's not yet known what the pair have named their new arrival or how much he weighed.

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Sam and Paul, who began dating last October following Sam's split from her on/off boyfriend Joey Essex, decided to keep the sex of their child a secret until the birth.

Sam's older sister Billie, who has a one-year-old daughter Nelly, was among the first to send her congratulations on Instagram, sharing the new mum's photo alongside the words:

Smitten! Sam and Paul's new arrival comes after the couple enjoyed a low-key Christmas together at home

'I am the proudest sister and auntie in the world @samanthafaiers1 and Paul ... I cannot describe my love for my beautiful nephew ... I love you all so much and I can't wait for all the wonderful time we are going to spend together with him and Nelly ...'

Former TOWIE star Frankie Essex, the sister of Sam's ex Joey, also sent her love, tweeting: 'Congratulations @SamanthaFaiers on the amazing news a baby boy'.

Harry Debidge, who also starred with Sam on TOWIE, posted on his Twitter: 'Congratulations to my friend @SamanthaFaiers and Paul I can't wait to meet him x'

Sending their love: Former TOWIE stars Frankie Essex and Harry Derbidge tweeted their congrats to Sam

Sam and property developer Paul's new arrival comes after the couple enjoyed a low-key Christmas together at home.

The former TOWIE star shared a sweet snap of the two at home with her bump on Thursday, with Paul seen putting a protective arm around his girlfriend and her tummy.

Whirlwind: Sam and property developer Paul met in an Essex bar last October and confirmed their baby news in August

Sam admitted back in October that she wasn't nervous about giving birth, telling the MailOnline exclusively: 'I'm feeling really positive. People always want to tell you their horror stories but I'm just ignoring them. "I'm going to be fine", I keep telling myself.'

She also confirmed that Billie, their mother Suzanne Wells and, of course, Paul will all be at the birth.

Speaking to OK! magazine at her recent baby shower, the former TOWIE star admitted: ‘I’m going to have a home birth.

'I’ve been studying hypnobirthing techniques and I want it to be as natural as possible. We’re going to get a pool so I have it there as an option.’

He's here! The former TOWIE star had been documenting her growing bump on social media ahead of the birth

The Essex beauty added that she's planning on installing cameras as she doesn't think her mother or sister will 'get the best shots'.

She revealed: ‘I’m going to rig my lounge with cameras to capture it all! I don’t want to rely on Mum or Billie to get all the good shots, so I’ll be well prepared!’

Sam and Paul, who met in an Essex bar, confirmed the pregnancy with a sweet Instagram post in August, sharing a selife alongside some tell-tale emojis of a heart and baby.

Sam quit TOWIE in Spring 2014 after being one of the only original surviving castmembers.

Since she left, she's been keeping busy by modelling, running a fitness business, publishing her memoirs and running her Minnie's Boutique business with big sister Billie.

Ready for it! The Essex beauty admitted back in October that she wasn't nervous about the birth, and has had plenty of practice with children thanks to her one-year-old niece Nelly